Glandular fever is an infection caused by the Epstein Barr virus (EBV). It is also called Infectious Mononucleosis and sometimes the ‘kissing disease’. Once a person catches Epstein Barr virus, it is believed that the virus remains in his or her body for life, though it usually does not cause further illness. By adulthood, 90 to 95% of people have been infected with EBV.
Glandular fever is spread from person-to-person through contact with saliva. Young children may be infected by saliva on the hands of care givers or by sucking and sharing toys, but the virus does not survive very well in the environment. Kissing results in spread among young adults.
Symptoms of glandular fever include:
Symptoms most often occurs in older children and young adults. When the infection occurs in young children, symptoms are mild or absent. Up to 50% of people infected have no symptoms of infection at all.
The illness can last between 1 and several weeks and very rarely a chronic form develops. Illness can be more severe in those who have lowered immunity and in some ethnic groups serious complications may occur many years after the initial infection.
Diagnosis is made by a blood test.
(time between becoming infected and developing symptoms)
4 to 6 weeks.
(time during which an infected person can infect others)
Not accurately known. The virus is shed in the saliva for up to a year after illness and every so often after that.
Seek medical advice if difficulty with swallowing or abdominal pain occurs.
Medication for control of fever may be required. Aspirin should not be given to children under 12 years of age unless specifically recommended by a doctor.
There is no effective antiviral drug available.
Contact sports and heavy lifting should be avoided for the first month after illness because of risk of damage to the spleen, which often is enlarged during acute infection.
Most patients with glandular fever recover uneventfully.
